Collectors: Cars and Guitars

The connection between car collectors and guitar enthusiasts is both fascinating and natural. Both cars and guitars are more than just functional items—they are icons of style, history, and passion that resonate deeply with collectors. While cars became mainstream slightly earlier than electric guitars, both underwent a transformation in the 20th century, evolving from practical tools into symbols of personal expression and cultural identity.

It’s no surprise that many car collectors also have a space dedicated to showcasing their guitars. In fact, the connection between these two worlds has long been celebrated in pop culture. Think of iconic 20th-century rockstar posters featuring sleek cars alongside striking guitars, encapsulating the spirit of style and rebellion. The world of collectibles—whether it’s toys, sports memorabilia, musical instruments, or automobiles—represents the enduring appeal of items that tell a story and evoke emotion.

Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul Corvette Guitars

• Uniqueness: 6/10
  (created from an existing Les Paul Guitar)
• Style and Design relating to the car: 6/10
  (add-on metal engraved parts, color matching and nice inlays)
• Instrument quality: 10/10
  (As expected, all Custom Shop Gibsons are quality in materials and playability)
• Certification: COA by Gibson
  (in partnership with Chevrolet)
• Pricing: estimated range at $10,000-$17,000
  (pricing estimated in 2021)

As iconic cars from the 1960s reached significant anniversary milestones, we began to see their influence extend into the world of guitars, with unique design elements incorporated into existing models to create special car-inspired series. A standout example is Gibson's commemorative guitar for the 1960 Corvette, crafted from a custom shop Gibson Les Paul. In 1996, Gibson released a limited number of these guitars, finished in colors that matched the classic Corvettes of the 1960s.

While designing an entirely new Gibson guitar model would have been prohibitively expensive, the company excelled at enhancing the Les Paul with stylish details reminiscent of the Corvette's iconic design. The result was a striking blend of automotive and musical artistry, capturing the essence of the era’s style.

View more Gibson Covette guitars

PRS Corvette Guitars

• Uniqueness: 3/10
  (created from an existing PRS Standard 22 Guitar)
• Style and Design relating to the car: 3/10
  (Simple Corvette badging, colour matching and nice inlays)
• Instrument quality: 10/10
  (As expected, all PRS custom guitars are quality in materials and playability)
• Certification: COA by PRS
  (in partnership with Chevrolet)
• Pricing: estimated range at $1100-$2800
  (pricing estimated in 2021)

Paul Reed Smith Guitars PRS also paid tribute to Corvette with a special edition guitar for the car's 50th anniversary. Rather than designing a completely new model, PRS incorporated unique features into an existing guitar, including a custom neck inlay and a Corvette logo. The guitar was painted to match the signature colors of the Corvette, making it a standout addition to the car-themed guitar collection.

PRS offered two intricate neck inlays to honor the iconic cars: one featuring the "427," representing the legendary engine, and another showcasing the "Z06," the special Corvette model of the era. This collaboration resulted in a guitar that beautifully bridged the worlds of automotive and musical design.

Custom Guitars made from actual car parts

Although custom guitar makers may not have official licensing agreements with car brands, their artistry and craftsmanship deserve recognition. One standout example is Alikat Guitars, a company known for creating unique, handcrafted aluminum guitars. These instruments are meticulously designed and often inspired by classic car models, such as the iconic '57 Chevy.

Alikat Guitars not only stands out for its distinctive designs but also for its innovative approach to construction, incorporating cost-saving techniques without compromising quality. Their work exemplifies the fusion of automotive-inspired themes with exceptional luthiery skills.

Corvette-Named Guitars

While not directly connected to the Corvette automobile, the Gretsch Corvette is a highly sought-after and iconic guitar model with roots in the mid-20th century. First introduced in the late 1950s, the Corvette was originally designed as an affordable option for musicians. However, it quickly earned a reputation for its exceptional sound quality, distinctive tone, and unique visual appeal, solidifying its place as a classic in guitar history.

The GT40 Commemorative Guitar: A Tribute to Racing History

• Uniqueness: 10/10
  (Safir GT40 designed the guitar for the GT40 50th Anniversary)
• Style and Design relating to the car: 10/10
  (Difficult build with curvy wood and insets plus custom metal parts)
• Instrument quality: 10/10
  (Top build quality, great action and incredible sound)
• Certification: COA by GT40 as an official product
  (also includes trademarked GT40 metal chassis plate)
• Pricing: sold new for $5995
  (The first Victory Series neck through guitars only had a production run of less than 20 worldwide so these are very rare)

As the 21st century unfolded, the Ford GT40's legendary triumph at the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans approached its 50th anniversary. This historic race marked the first time a North American car defeated Ferrari to win at Le Mans, solidifying the GT40’s place in automotive lore. The story has been immortalized in numerous books and the blockbuster film Ford v Ferrari. To celebrate this milestone, Safir GT40 —the company that continues to produce officially trademarked GT40 cars—introduced a GT40 commemorative guitar , designed to honor the iconic race car.

These guitars were not merely branding applied to an existing instrument; they are true works of art and high-performance musical instruments. Each guitar underwent over a year of meticulous design and production before being approved by Safir GT40. The result is a guitar as unique as the car it commemorates, complete with certification directly from the GT40 supercar company.

Each guitar’s ownership is documented with personalized Certificates of Authenticity, making buyers part of the GT40 legacy. This includes a metal chassis plate embedded in the guitar body and official certification papers akin to those issued to GT40 car owners. When you purchase one of these collector’s guitars, you officially own a piece of GT40 history, as every guitar is registered in the GT40 Registry. It's not just an instrument—it's a connection to one of motorsport’s most celebrated eras.

View more of the GT40 guitar lineup

Fender Guitars GT Shelby Stratocaster

• Uniqueness: 2/10
  (looks like a basic Stratocaster with decals)
• Style and Design relating to the car: 2/10
  (custom metal neck mount with decals by Ford)
• Instrument quality: 8/10
  (Great Fender quality with materials and playability)
• Certification: COA by Fender
  (in partnership with Ford
• Pricing: used estimated at $2000-$2500
  (based on listings in 2023)

The 2007 Limited Edition Fender Ford Mustang Shelby GT Stratocaster is another example of a rare car guitar, exemplifying Fender's renowned craftsmanship. With only 200 units ever produced, this guitar is an exceptional collector's item, highly prized for its rarity and attention to detail.

Fender Guitars - Stratocaster 1

• Uniqueness: 10/10
  (using carbon fibre and unique Saleen S1 styled design)
• Style and Design relating to the car: 8/10
  (Custom build with curves to match the Saleen car)
• Instrument quality: 10/10
  (Not tested but expected to be Fenders top quality from their Custom Shop)
• Certification: Fender
• Pricing: Only one made $33,000
  (valued in 2020 as a Prestige Collection Strat)

Fender created the one-of-a-kind Stratocaster 1 to celebrate the Saleen S1 sports car, making it a true masterpiece of design and craftsmanship. This unique guitar features a hollow carbon-fiber body with a hand-carved maple top, finished in Candy Apple Red to match the iconic Saleen presentation car. Modern materials, such as carbon fiber for the bridge and fretboard, are paired with a quarter-sawn roasted maple neck, showcasing a perfect blend of innovation and tradition.

As you might imagine, crafting such a distinctive instrument came at a premium cost. The Stratocaster 1 was priced at an estimated $33,000—a significant leap from a standard Fender Custom Shop guitar—reflecting the artistry and exclusivity of this extraordinary piece.

VW Guitars

• Uniqueness: 5/10
  (Customized knobs and built in guitar effects to play through car stereo)
• Style and Design relating to the car: 4/10
  (Generic design relating to the 2006 Jetta, Rabbit or Beetle)
• Instrument quality: 5/10
  (The model tested had poor quality in finishing, but sounded good)
• Certification: First Act
• Pricing: estimated $250 - $500
  (estimated in 2021)

The First Act Volkswagen GarageMaster Guitar is a distinctive electric guitar model introduced as part of a special limited-edition promotion with Volkswagen in 2006. Customers who purchased or leased a 2006 VW Jetta, GTI, Rabbit, New Beetle, or New Beetle Convertible had the opportunity to acquire this custom-designed guitar, uniquely engineered to be played through the car's audio system.

The GarageMaster features a solid poplar body with a sleek glossy white finish, accented by a three-piece black-on-white pickguard and chrome hardware. Its standout custom design includes a color-coordinated pickguard to match the buyer’s vehicle and a special plate on the back of the headstock engraved with the car's VIN, making it a personalized and collectible piece for both guitar and car enthusiasts.